The Federal Government has directed that suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, should be allowed access to his lawyers and family members.

It was learnt that his lawyers and family members have been having access to him in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) for some weeks now.

It was gathered further that the challenge has been his alleged refusal to cooperate with investigators by answering questions and volunteering statements as required.

A source who pleaded anonymity said: “The young man has refused to cooperate with investigators. He has refused to answer questions. He has also declined to make statement. We understand it is within his right to either volunteer statement or decline. I think options are currently being weighed on what next measures to be adopted.”

Also, a senior lawyer said Bawa’s legal team has been constrained from seeking legal option to enforce his freedom because of a directive from his father.

“We would have filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit by now. You recall that the young man has been in custody for months now, with the government failing to charge him to court.

“We have been handicapped by the directive of his father who asked us not to go to court on his behalf.

“The father said he believes his son will be released when God dictates and that there was no need suing the government,” he added.

Meanwhile, some Senior Advocates of Nigeria have continued to asked for Bawa’s release, the latest being Rotimi Jacobs.

Jacobs described Bawa’s continued detention since June 14 as unconstitutional and unlawful.

In a statement, he cited relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 relating to the power of the state to remand a suspect, and argued that remand order to show that the detention of Bawa could no longer be justified in law.

Jacobs argued that the maximum time of custody for a suspect in Nigeria under a remand order is 56 days, noting that Bawa has been held beyond the allowed under the law, which is against the rule of law and must be opposed by all lovers of democracy.

Two other Senior Advocates, Femi Falana and Kemi Pinheiro have also advanced similar arguments in demanding for Bawa’s release. (The Nation)

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